September 19, 2007

Safari-style celebrations on the South Africa, Botswana border

Posted by Julia and filed under: Family holidays, Tailor-made safaris

Surrounded by the bushveld and close to family is my new favourite way to celebrate my birthday (particularly if it allows me to escape the wet and cold of a Cape winter.)

Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting several exceptional lodges within the Madikwe Private Game Reserve, a 75,000 hectare reserve that is a relative unknown among the latest safari experiences in South Africa.

Previously farmland, the area has been restored to its natural environment where 10,000 animals, ranging from wild dogs to cheetahs, have been introduced as part of the largest translocation project in the country. A one-hour flight (or four hours driving) north west of Johannesburg, the malaria-free reserve offers a wide selection of accommodation options and a diverse range of activities.

The first stop on our tour of Madikwe was Thakadu River Camp, a private camp that consists of twelve tented suites, four of which are intended for families.

It is also a unique community-based ecotourism partnership between North-West Parks, the local Molatedi community and the operator, The Madikwe Collection. This means that the staff are all recruited from the nearby village and are themselves shareholders in the operation. What results is highly committed and enthusiastic team with a delightful service ethic.

For example, when word got out that it was my birthday, I was presented with an enormous gooey chocolate cake and impromptu singing from the staff. An unforgettable surprise!

We went on to stay at ‘Little Tuningi’ that is part of Tuningi Safari Lodge, a rare family-friendly five-star lodge. We thoroughly enjoyed our own self-contained ‘mini lodge’ where we were able to indulge ourselves in a gorgeous kitchen, boma area, dinning room and lounge, as well as a wrap around deck and a private pool, all overlooking a waterhole. The game drive in an open Land Rover with our ranger was a fabulously educational experience.

We also visited Buffalo Ridge, another community-based project owned by the local Balete people who live in the village of Lekgophung just west of Madikwe. This is a marvellous little lodge for a honeymoon.

It is built on numerous different levels with many gorgeous open-plan areas overlooking the vast plains all the way into neighbouring Botswana. The individual chalets are completely private and separated from each other by areas of bushveld. The game viewing in the reserve was superb with some rare sightings, including cheetah and a couple of Honey Badgers that are usually nocturnal and secretive.

Check out Madikwe Private Game Reserve for a superb selection of lodges where you can celebrate a birthday, honeymoon or any other special getaway.